UK freight sector slams gov’t over Heathrow waffle

Th e UK freight, logistics and business community have slammed the UK government’s decision to delay a decision until next summer – at the earliest - on whether a third runway will be built at Heathrow Airport.

December 31, 2015

By admin

Th e UK freight, logistics and business community have slammed the UK government’s decision to delay a decision until next summer – at the earliest – on whether a third runway will be built at Heathrow Airport.

Prime Minister David Cameron had pledged to make a final decision by the end of this year on a $34.5 billion plan to build a third runway at Heathrow, which had been recommended by a governmentappointed commission.

But the government in early December said it needs to undertake more environmental studies before deciding whether to opt for a third runway at Heathrow or a second runway at nearby London Gatwick airport, which handles only a small volume of cargo.

The British International Freight Association (BIFA) says forwarders are “dismayed” over the lack of decisiveness slamming the delay as being nothing more than politics. “Th e 1,500 companies within BIFA are dismayed that the uncertainty and indecision over expanding aviation capacity is set to continue into next summer,” said BIFA BIFA director general, Robert Keen.

“BIFA has little doubt that this decision is about political expediency, not environmental matters, which must have been addressed in the work done by the Airports Commission during the three years it took to investigate the issues.

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